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Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1927, Page 2

The County Hal! at Alillertf.n was burnt down on Christmas morning, only the piano being saved. The htiildinir wav insured for LloOOMr \Y. 'l'. csli't*. the retiring secirliny of 1 lie West port Trotting Club, on Monday was presented with an illuminated address as an expression ol appreciation by the dull. Mr Sloe has been secretary for 26 years, his lather lilting the position h-'lore him. There are complaints about careless firing of the roadside hush on the mam South road ot late, several pails being disligured unnecessarily by that means. The authorities have instructions to report any cases to the Highway autl.onties and prosecutions will lollow where 11io culprits are known.

Mr James Lindop of the stall ol the Magistrate’s Court. Westport, and lormeiTy of the Court at Hokitika, is under orders to transfer to Auckland, lie has taken a very prominent part in cycle racing on the Coast' during the last lew years.

Some good trout fishing is said to he obtainable in South Westland. One Southern fisherman secured a lourteenpoimder in the ' Big Wangm.nl river, and one nearly as weighty in the Little Wanganui. Several weighty hags in fact have been taken of late, indicating that tiie trout are well established along the Coast. The Aralmra river is another favourite stream lor the fish, which have appeared in considerable numbers of late.

The preparations for the installation of hydro-electric power, serving North Westland are proceeding apace. Ihe initial plant is now on the way from Tauranga. and should be landed in Greyinouth immediately.- It will lie railed to Ho Ho, and taken there l>v Mnlfmy and Coy’s sawmill tramway to the TCawkaha. A connecting tramway lias been laid this month in record time to convey the material to the site on the Waimea water race, lately acquired by the Westland Power Ltd. Foundations are now in band for tlie machinery, and if is expected the work of erection will be begun as soon alter the holidays as the plant is received. Plant for the main station from England was shipped this month, and work will lie forward for its erection ere it is to hand. Poles for the reticulation service are also arranged for. and the erection will begin early next month. The general trend of the preparations indicate the supply of light and power will be well forward within the promised time. The demand on behalf of prospective, consumers is said to he quite satisfactory, in fact ahead of original anticipations.

There was perfect weather on Saturday for Christmas Eve. and the town was very lively all day. Country residents wore in strong force and the shops had a busy time all day. business being generally reported to be very satisfactory. To the evening Itevell St. was thronged till a late hour, and the usual seasonable greetings and good wishes were to be heard on all sides, as friends met. Thor were quite a large number of former residents back for the holiday season, and they were made specially welcome. It was noticeable that the various parking places for motor ears were all filled to overflowing. the assemblage of cans in the several streets being almost a record one. The weather continued fine and warm, and though there were sounds of merriment and good will till a late hour there was an utter absence of any breach of the good sense of the community. After midnight the Municipal Band commenced playing carols, visiting the residential part of the town. At 8 a.m. they had not finished the town and were on their way to the Mental and Westland Hospitals to play before dispersing. Christmas Hay was also an ideal summer day of bright, sunshine, after it cloudy morning. The services at the various churches were well attended throughout tlie day. The railway excursion to Lake Mahinapua did not prove much of an attraction, some fifty passengers participating.

Good health in children is impossib’ with worms. Wade’s Worm Figs promptly expel’ the parasites. Wonderful worm worriers.—Advt.

Give him something he can wear. He’ll appreciate it. Shirts, pyjamas, ties, socks, braces, handkerchiefs, spoits belts make acceptable Xmas gifts. We have a full range of these goods and Addisons prices (as usual) are right.—Advt.

To keep furniture shining without attention, use “ Tan-01,” the wonderful liquid polish, Gives a brilliant lasting surfae. MTm't smeaf, All grocers.—Advt,

Train arrangements in connection with the Hokitika Trotting It aces arc advertised in this issue. The Municipal Band at the racecourse on race days played under the eonductorship of Mr Hopkinson, of Napier. Matron Hamilton has been the recipient of presentations, one from the Hospital Board and another from the staff of Westland Hospital. -Miss A. G. Lloyd, the newly appointed .Matron for Westland Hospital arrived last evening and took over the duties to-day from Matron Hamilton, who is leaving to-mornnv. Handicaps for the Westland Trotting Club’s Meeting are due to-night. All acceptances close on Friday next at 8 o’clock with Mr M. Houston, Hon. Secretary.

There was a large number of visitors to the district, and South Westland traffic is very large. A big number went south this morning by both private and service cars.

Kokatahi and Koiterangi residents please note that Peerless Pictures arc screening a fine holiday programme on Friday night next, December 30th. not Saturday night as notified. Woodstock to-night, Wednesday. Dec. 18th.—Advt.

Matron Hamilton desires to thank the following donors for their kind and generous donations for Christmas cheer for patients at Westland Hospital and Home: Messrs Newman Bros, Westbrook, Setldon ; Mcsdantes Spargo, Turner, Bradshaw, Park and Missus Davis and L. Wilson.

There was a large influx of mails preceding Christmas, the Post Office officials having an exceedingly busy time. Telgraphie work was also substantial. Then came a. 101 l and there were no mails sorted out until Wednesday morning'.

Ten crates of cheese from the newly erected dairy factory at Okiiru, South Westland, were brought on Saturday l:v tlio kt‘l eh lyjr.ie to Hokit i 101, for local consumption. The factory, which is under the management of Mr T. Toohev. is turning out a first-class product.

An old and respected resident of the district. M,iss Catherine O’Shea, died yesterday morning at her residence, Karoro. The deceased, who was 72 years of age. had resided for many years at South Beach with her uncle, Ihe late Michael Keating, and was highly esteemed by all who knew her. She leaves one sister, .Mrs J. Matthews, residing in tile North Island.

The last Gazette notifies that the amount of £1196 lbs Id is payable in connection with the taking of opossums throughout the Dominion. The quota for Westland Acclimatisation District is £302 3s Od. Grey £IBO 8s fid. Boiler £7l Ills od. AVellington receives £173!) 3s Mil and Otago £583 His fid. Westland living third on the list.

Miss Mary Buticdge, fifty throe years of age, who lived with relatives al 11. Bossall Street. Christchurch, was knocked down bv a car driven by Mr Alfred • Vivian Wliilia. when she was ciosxing Beahv Avenue about 10 H.ni. on Christmas Eve, and later succumbed to the injuries received. An inquest was opened and adjourned.

A feature at Monday’s regatta at Greymouth on Monday, says the ‘‘Argus’ 1 was due to the enterprise of Hokitika speed boat enthusiasts, Dr Buchanan. .Messrs Harrington, Rohinson and Williams, who brought, four fast craft tip to lake part. Their rapidity quite captivated the onlook-

era. ami this form of sport should }><•- (<llllO popular oio loii}' on several of the West Coast lakes.

Olio of the most noticeable features in the town during the holidays was the dust nui'-ame. It was everywhere, and tie numerous motor ears stirred un the streets as never before. Hampden Street and others leading to the

racecourse on race days, was a veritable white dust storm. A shower of rain fell in the early morning to-day I hat hardly settled l lie dust, while a further light shower took place at 11 o’clock and is continuing.

A motor from Christchurch met with an accident at (Hailstone on Monday morning, v. hen travelling to Creymoutli, through a collision with a post- alongside the road. lly some means, tile car left the centre of the road, and its impact with the post was such that, the engine was knocked out of position. Those on the car received a shock, and one of their number, a Mrs) Porter, of Christchurch, was taken for medical attention to the Grey River Hospital, hut was then aide to leave the institution.

The death U announced at Auckland on December 20th of William S. Short, T. 5.0.. aged .seventy-lire, formerly Cnder-Secretary of Public Works. He had been in failing health since the death, on September 20. of his wile, who was knocked down e.nd killed bv a motor. Mr Short was the chief authority in the Public Service on roads and bridges, and he was well known to local bodies as a Commissioner charged with the duty of apportioning costs ot public works among contributing local bodies. In IDO* ho published “Short on the Law of Hoads. Bridges, and Streets.”

The funeral of the late Mrs O’Reilly took , place on Saturday morning last and was attended by a large crowd of people, there being twenty motor cars in the procession. Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church at 0.30 o’clock. Rev. Father McKay was Celebrant. Rev. Father Herring S.M. (Reefton) and Rev. Father O’Reilly S.M. being Dean and sub-Deacon respectively. The Rev. Father Holohan (Grevmonth) was Master of Ceremonies. Those present included Rev. Fathers Finerty, McGrath S.M.. Doherty (Ross), Lorda.n (Kumara). Long (Greymouth), and O’ Meghan (Ahaura). At the graveside Rev. Father O’Reilly officiated.

Saturday, Sunday ond Monday pro vided Wellington with bv far the finest spell of weather experienced this summer, and transport and sight-see-ing services had great crowds to handle. The new road round the wireless station. Mount Victoria, was opened, and sight-seeing buses made the climb, giving passengers a wonderful land and sea panoramic view. Special traffic arrangements, whereby all but tram traffic was suspended in the main streets on Friday and Saturday after 7 p.m.. reduced street accidents to a minimum, and the only serious mishap over th« holidays was a boating tragedy on the harbour on Christmas 'Eve. Trade during the final week was good, and a great deal of leeway in trade was made up.